Koh
Samui
There is a fast growing expatriate community on Koh Samui, with people moving
from Europe, Scandinavia and beyond to escape the stresses of western life.
Thailand is known as one of the most welcoming countries in the world and as
Koh Samui has developed over the years it has gradually begun to offer all the
comforts of home, but in a tropical island location. When you arrive at Samui on one of the most
beautiful airports in the world you at once get the feeling that life is easy in
Samui; the island now offers a range of
excellent locations for shopping, including two large, well stocked
supermarkets: Tesco Lotus, Big C, Makro and Tops, in fact, with all the modern conveniences
now a vailable it’s sometimes easy to forget you are in Thailand and certainly on
an island.
New Shopping Malls and Entertainment Centers are on the way,and western
treats
like good wine and imported food. Foreign people who live in Samui enjoy
a vast choice of wine, dining and entertainment. Thai food of course abounds, and is
both tasty and extremely good value.
There is also a huge choice of international cuisine with everything from
fine French cuisine to fast food chains. For those who like
drinking and socializing, many
western style pubs and clubs not only serve alcoholic drinks,
but also offer many
favorite brands. A number of bars also show live international sporting events,
so it’s possible to enjoy a cold beer in the sun whilst watching your
favorite football team play in the cold wind and rain back home.
Of course Thailand wouldn’t be the same without its people.It is mainly because
of their friendly nature that foreign visitors keep coming back and end
up living on Samui. Most local people speak a certain amount of
English, which means that speaking Thai is not necessary,although life becomes
much easier if you do make
the effort.Don’t expect to be living an authentic Thai life though;around 80% of
the population on the island is made up of visitors or expats.
Samui is fast becoming a comfortable, sophisticated heaven in the sun,
but it is also important to remember that there are significant cultural differences that
may
cause frustration. Local people enjoy a relaxed approach to life,
and this can
take some time to get used too. As long as you are prepared to meet the local
people half way,living on their tropical island can be a pleasure indeed.
WELCOME; I see you on the beach!